Abstract
The presented paper focuses on a CFD based analyses of the complexity in the geometrical shape of the breathing thermal manikins, associated with their main functionalities. Both impacts of the external manikin’s form were studied – over the velocity and over the temperature fields in the thermal plume zone above the head. Three different geometrical shapes are analysed – a physiologically identified (called Humanoid Manikin) and two other shapes, designed to match the overall 95th percentile of the anthropometric size of the standard person (called Polygonal Manikins). The first model represents a comprehensive multifaceted figure of a manikin with high degree of physiological identity with a female human being. The second and third one, are simplified, but still with anatomically realistic component forms, accurately representing the anthropometric size of a standard person. The difference between them is in the presence of additional flow optimization collars in the third model. The numerical results demonstrate the clear impact of the manikins’ geometrical characteristics over the simulated breathing and convective flows. The optimization with the proposed collars had a positive effect over the resulted flow acceleration at top head and chest zones. However, the improvement of the flow characteristics was observed for two of the simulated three breathing phases and further shape optimization is required.
Highlights
The use of virtual thermal manikins, at the design stage of the indoor environment, is appropriate alternative to the genuine thermal manikins’ experiments [1]
The recirculation zones and increased flow separation lead to wider thermal plume above the head of the manikin with lower air velocity
The proposed geometrical optimization has led to improvement of the free convection flow along the proposed Polygonal Manikin
Summary
The use of virtual thermal manikins, at the design stage of the indoor environment, is appropriate alternative to the genuine thermal manikins’ experiments [1]. In today’s engineering research practice, the real and virtual thermal manikins are used for overall assessment of the human thermal comfort, as well as for analyses of the indoor air quality in the occupied spaces. They represent modern, highly complex tools for measurement and analyses of the convective flows around human bodies in different conditions, without excessive risk of exposure to the people themselves. A simplified structure of a virtual thermal manikin with breathing functionality is suggested by the authors in this paper, and the first stage of the breathing flow modelling is presented in [5] This structure signifies an opportunity for real manikin’s production cost optimization. The differences or the similarities in the velocity and thermal flow fields between the two shapes will provide initial assessment measure for the both models performance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
